Thursday, November 27, 2008

Many have asked how I came to arrive at the name “Zacharias” for Jack’s middle name (See Michele’s post from January 2). Some suspect I may have pulled the name from the Bible. However, this is not the case. Rather, the inspiration for Jack’s middle name comes from Dr. Ravi Zacharias, the most dynamic and influential Christian apologist of our day. I fancy myself as a very amateur Christian apologist, and Dr. Zacharias teachings and writings have had a profound affect on my life. He has been gifted with a unique combination of incredible intellectual prowess and sincere humility that he consistently puts to masterful work in delivering his messages and responding to challenges to the Christian faith. He is firm and unyielding, yet, gracious and gentle. (He is precisely the type of person that Bill Maher did not interview in his film silly film Religulous). I encourage all of you to visit his website: http://www.rzim.org/, and give a listen to one of his podcasts.

Saturday, November 1, 2008

At day 102, not very close to the expected day 70, we finally received our LOA (Letter of Acceptance)! We had stopped counting days because it was a little daunting seeing day 80 then day 90 go by. So, for sanity's sake, we stopped looking at the calendar. As it turns out, we got a sweet treat for Halloween in the form of a phone call from our agency.

It should take about 21 days (and this seems to be on schedule) from when China receives our LOA to receive TA (Travel Approval). All we have to do is sign it and overnight it back to the agency. For those of you who followed our trip for Jenna, we received TA the day before Thanksgiving and we left for China on Nov. 30. Jenna's "Gotcha Day" was Dec. 2, which happens to be Jack's birthday. We're hoping to make it over there by then. I'm posting another picture of Jenna with Jack in Gansu, hoping that they will be together again soon ... hoping to finally get my arms around our little boy ... hoping that he will be as happy to meet his forever family as we are to welcome him home.

June 2008

Jack celebrating Children's Day at a local park

Quote from our friend, Andy, giver of photo and favors :0)

Michelle and Dan,Just wanted you to know that when I saw your son Jack in Pingliang he looked good. He is an obvious favorite at the orphanage, is said to be helpful with the other children, and seems to have a very sweet personality. He was a little shy and not quite sure what to make of me. But I told him through Mrs. Yang that I was a friend and knew that his mom and dad who will be coming soon, love him very much. Also, he seems to be very healthy. His cheeks are full and he is not at all overly thin.

Trish told me she emailed you all about the gift Mrs. Yang gave us for your daughter. We will send it ASAP; just send an address. The staff at the orphanage is very interested in what your family is doing for these two special children. Apparently, your daughter was something of a favorite, too. Yours is a really wonderful story.

Quote from Orphanage Assistance Coordinator ...

I am so excited to hear you are adopting him - he struck me as such a neat kid! He looks so happy and yes, seems to be always in the action taking care of the smaller babies.Congratulations on your new son and best wishes for a speedy TA!

halfway around the world...

Pingliang, China

Jack's Weather

God's Word for Us ...

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is -- His good, pleasing and perfect will.